Medical Director

Introduction Our client is a full-service veterinary hospital seeking an experienced Medical Director to join its team on a full-time basis. Providing comprehensive veterinary care for dogs and cats, this established practice offers a broad range of general medicine, preventative healthcare, dentistry, surgery, and diagnostic services. Combining hands-on clinical responsibilities with leadership opportunities, the position is ideal for a veterinarian looking to guide medical standards, mentor colleagues, and contribute to the continued development of a well-established hospital. Role Description and Responsibilities As Medical Director, you will play a central role in delivering exceptional medical, surgical, and preventative care while providing clinical leadership and maintaining high standards of veterinary medicine throughout the hospital. Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will remain actively involved in clinical practice, conducting comprehensive physical examinations, diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, developing individualized treatment plans, interpreting diagnostic results, and prescribing medications. Routine and advanced surgical and dental procedures will also form part of your clinical responsibilities, depending on your experience. Mentorship and professional development will be important aspects of the position, with responsibility for supporting fellow veterinarians, encouraging clinical collaboration, and promoting consistent medical standards through training and case discussions. You will also oversee the implementation and maintenance of medical protocols, ensure compliance with relevant regulatory standards, and contribute to quality improvement initiatives designed to enhance patient outcomes and the overall standard of care. Working closely with hospital leadership, you will help identify opportunities to improve clinical workflows, strengthen team efficiency, and enhance the client experience. This will involve balancing hands-on veterinary medicine with strategic oversight and ongoing hospital development. Creating a positive, supportive, and collaborative working environment will be equally important, encouraging open communication, professional growth, and a shared commitment to compassionate patient care. This opportunity is suited to an experienced veterinarian who enjoys clinical practice and is looking to take on a leadership role with responsibility for medical excellence, mentorship, and hospital performance. Practice Details Located in San Diego's Kearny Mesa neighborhood, this established, full-service veterinary hospital serves clients throughout San Diego, UTC, Chula Vista, El Cajon, and National City. Operating Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm and Saturdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm, the practice provides comprehensive general veterinary care alongside urgent medical treatment during regular opening hours. Described as a spacious, modern facility, the hospital offers consultation, diagnostic, surgical, and dental capabilities to support a broad range of medical conditions and preventative healthcare needs. Diagnostic equipment includes on-site radiography, allowing clinicians to investigate medical and surgical conditions through X-ray imaging. Digital dental radiography provides additional diagnostic support when assessing oral health, periodontal disease, and other dental concerns. ECG/EKG equipment is available for evaluating cardiac electrical activity, while an in-house diagnostic laboratory supports timely investigations and clinical decision-making. Surgical and dental equipment supports routine procedures, dentistry, and associated treatments, with an in-house pharmacy providing immediate access to prescribed medications and veterinary products. Additional amenities include online prescription ordering, access to patient records, appointment reminders, and convenient free parking, helping support both clinical workflows and the overall client experience. A comprehensive range of general practice services is available, including preventative medicine, dentistry, surgery, internal medicine, and daytime emergency care. Preventative healthcare encompasses routine wellness examinations, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and individualized healthcare plans designed to support patients throughout their lives. Puppy and kitten services include early-life examinations, vaccination schedules, nutritional advice, and developmental guidance. Senior pets also receive dedicated geriatric examinations, ongoing health monitoring, and management of age-related medical conditions. Internal medicine services involve investigating and treating gastrointestinal disorders, tumors, and other internal medical conditions, supported by the hospital's diagnostic capabilities. Dentistry forms another important part of the clinical offering, with dental examinations, professional cleanings, restorative care, and dental surgery available. General surgical facilities also support the treatment of medical conditions requiring surgical intervention. Diagnostic investigations are supported by radiography, digital dental X-rays, ECG/EKG, and in-house laboratory testing, while urgent care services allow clinicians to assess and treat emergencies during regular opening hours. For an incoming Medical Director, this combination of clinical services and established infrastructure provides opportunities to remain actively involved in patient care while guiding the team's approach to diagnostics, surgery, dentistry, and medical quality. Locally operated with the support of a wider veterinary organization, the practice combines hospital-level leadership with access to additional resources. Integrity, local leadership, compassion, excellence, and personalized relationships are highlighted as core values, reflecting an emphasis on maintaining high standards of veterinary medicine and building meaningful connections with clients. With a focus on both clinical excellence and hospital development, the position provides an opportunity to contribute to medical standards, support workflow improvements, and help shape the ongoing delivery of veterinary services. Team An established team of two veterinarians is supported by four support and management personnel, providing a collaborative environment for delivering high-quality veterinary care. Working closely with the Hospital Manager and Regional Director, the incoming Medical Director will provide clinical leadership while contributing to the hospital's operational efficiency and continued development. Collaboration between veterinarians, support personnel, and hospital leadership will be central to maintaining consistent medical standards, effective communication, and a positive working environment, responsibilities will include overseeing clinical protocols, supporting case management, encouraging team efficiency, and maintaining high standards of client communication and patient care. Alongside these leadership duties, the Medical Director will remain actively involved in consultations, diagnostic investigations, and surgical procedures, maintaining a balance between clinical practice and team development. Mentorship and professional support will also form an important part of the role, with opportunities to guide fellow veterinarians, encourage clinical knowledge sharing, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. For an experienced veterinarian looking to combine clinical responsibilities with leadership, this position offers the opportunity to work alongside an established team while helping shape the hospital's medical direction and collaborative culture. Candidate Requirements Must hold the relevant degree(s) and additional qualifications to work as a veterinarian in the United States of America (USA) Must hold, be in the process of, or be able to obtain, a state license for the state they are applying to work in Must have the right to work in the United States of America (USA), or be able to obtain the required visa to do so About Tempus Recruitment This is a brief overview of the role, therefore we fully appreciate there are always more questions to be asked about the job, the company, and so on. We assure you that Tempus Recruitment are here to help and are more than happy to get those questions answered for you in advance of any potential interviews. We are here to make the recruitment process simple and stress free, working with our clients to ensure that you have all the information you need before formally making an application. Haven't Worked with a Recruiter Before? No Problem! 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The Package Salary up to $245,000 (Annual) $215k-$245k base salary + production Up to $100k sign-on bonus for a 3-year commitment No negative accrual PTO + holidays Employee pet care discounts Relocation and commitment bonuses High-quality health, dental, and vision insurance Optional life and disability insurance 401(k) with company contribution Generous Continuing Education (CE) allowance Reimbursement for membership dues and license fees Numerous discounts and supplemental insurance options Flexible working conditions promoting a healthy work/life balance Hours: Full Time Employment Type: Full Time Salary: $215,000 - $245,000 Annual